Popular Scholarship in the Public Interest | Boise State University

Menu

The Blue Review Writers

Contact:

Seth Ashley

Scholar

Dr. Seth Ashley joined the faculty of the Department of Communication at Boise State University in 2011. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri School of Journalism as well as a B.F.A. in production design from the University of Southern California School of Theater. Prior to completing his Ph.D., Dr. Ashley taught print and digital journalism at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. He worked as a staff writer for the Columbia Daily Tribune and as a freelance writer, editor, photographer and video producer. His experience also includes many years as a production designer and audio technician for live music, including touring work in 25 U.S. cities and 10 countries. He also worked as camera operator and graphics designer for NBC-affiliate KOMU-TV and as a projectionist for the True/False Film Festival. Outside of work, he spends time exploring scenic Idaho, running, biking, swimming, reading, playing music, and yelling at the television.
Dr. Ashley’s research centers on the role and impact of media in the democratic public sphere. He is interested in exploring the functions and effects of media in society as well as the social forces and economic realities that shape journalism as an institution. Sociological theory informs his study of practical problems such as those surrounding communication policy and media literacy education. Methodological interests include historical comparison, institutional analysis, textual analysis, legal research, surveys, focus groups and experiments. Current research efforts include a comparative historical study of the origins of broadcasting in the U.S. and Britain, and a news literacy research project sponsored by a $50,000 grant from the McCormick Foundation. Dr. Ashley’s broad aim is to help facilitate and preserve vibrant journalism and to educate and empower individuals in becoming engaged as news consumers and democratic citizens. His academic work has been published in the Journal of Media Literacy Education and Journalism: Theory, Practice, & Criticism, and he is a member of the International Communication Association and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.